In the past few decades, we’ve become increasingly aware of how much energy it takes to heat and cool our homes. As a result, building codes have gotten stricter, and houses are being sealed airtight. Airtight homes are better for the environment since they use less energy, which translates to lower utility bills—it’s a win-win.
The problem is that airtight houses are at a higher risk of issues like gas leaks and indoor air pollution. But the solution isn’t loosening our sealing standards. Instead, it’s important to implement safety testing to protect your home against indoor air pollution and other hazards.
The Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Indoor air pollutants can cause all kinds of issues, from cold-like symptoms to serious, long-term respiratory problems. These are some of the most common:
- Carbon Monoxide – Combustion appliances produce byproducts, including carbon monoxide. If they aren’t properly vented and maintained, they can leak carbon monoxide and other gases into your home, which can be deadly.
- Mold – Moisture issues can lead to mold and mildew growth, which are a serious health concern. In an airtight house, you need humidity control to keep moisture in check.
- VOCs – All types of household products, from cleaning and art supplies to new furniture and flooring can omit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Prolonged exposure to VOCs can cause irritation, headaches, nausea, and more serious health concerns.
- Dust & Dander – Dust and pet dander are two of the most common indoor air pollutants. Breathing them in can cause irritation and respiratory problems.
Indoor Air Pollution Is a Persistent Problem
Once pollutants get into your home’s air, they will stay there. Your HVAC system sucks air—and the pollutants it carries—in through return vents to be heated and cooled, and then redistributes it throughout your home. This process will continue indefinitely until the pollutants are actively removed via a filtration or air purification system.
Improving Indoor Air Quality Starts with an Energy Audit
There are tons of indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions on the market. With one quick Google search, you can browse hundreds of air purifiers, air filters, and air cleaners. But how do you know which one to choose and more importantly, if it’s even the right solution for the problem you’re dealing with? In most cases, persistent IAQ issues are better solved with insulation and air sealing, ventilation improvements, moisture control, and HVAC maintenance.
The best indoor air quality test is an energy audit (which has the added benefit of analyzing your home’s energy consumption). An energy audit uncovers the problems that cause poor indoor air quality at the source, like moisture issues, air leaks, and problems with the combustion appliances in our home, including gas leaks or improper venting.
A lot of companies offer energy audits as a way to upsell their services, which is not in the homeowner’s best interest. If a contractor can sell a service for every problem they find, they’re incentivized to look for problems that aren’t really there.
At e3 Power, we take a different approach. We are an independent energy audit company that does not offer home improvement services. Our services give you an honest, unbiased assessment of your home so you can trust that our recommendations are legitimate.
Home Health & Safety Services in Colorado
The air you breathe at home is essential to your family’s health. Don’t leave your air quality to chance—schedule an energy audit for your Colorado home with e3 Power. Our energy audits focus on energy efficiency AND home health, giving you the data you need to make informed and impactful improvements to your home. We’ve completed 1,500 energy audits for Colorado families and are excited to help you next.
